Honolulu in Honolulu County, Hawaii — Hawaiian Island Archipelago (Pacific Ocean)
Mark 14: Early Failures
Photographed by Darren Jefferson Clay, November 26, 2025
1. Mark 14: Early Failures Marker
The Mk 14 had multiple design problems.
One notable attack by Commander L.R. Daspit onboard USS Tinosa (SS-283) observed at least nine duds. Tinosa's patrol report helped spark an official review of the Mk 14 torpedo.
"Daspit followed the shot by periscope and observed an unbelievable splash, saw the hit but no explosion. A sure shot became a confirmed 'Dud'. Realigning... the skipper fired 3 more shots. The aim was perfect, the target hit; the result absolute silence. The TNT warhead might well have been packed with southern grown cotton balls..."
Learn more about torpedoes and torpedo problems in the Museum.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: War, World II • Waterways & Vessels.
Location. 21° 22.134′ N, 157° 56.323′ W. Marker is in Honolulu, Hawaii, in Honolulu County. It can be reached from Arizona Memorial Road, on the left when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 11 Arizona
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Regionally, this marker is on Hawaii’s Pearl Harbor and Historic West Oahu. Globally, it is in North America, Polynesia, the Pacific Ocean, North Pacific, the Pacific Rim, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Battle Stations Surface! 31 July 1944 (here, next to this marker); USS Parche (a few steps from this marker); Mark 14 Torpedo (a few steps from this marker); Mark 27 Torpedo (a few steps from this marker); MK 14 Exercise Torpedo (a few steps from this marker); 3"/50 Deck Gun (a few steps from this marker); A Legacy of Service (a few steps from this marker); Mark 37 Electric Torpedo (a few steps from this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Honolulu.
Photographed by Darren Jefferson Clay, November 26, 2025
2. Mark 14: Early Failures Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on January 26, 2026. It was originally submitted on January 23, 2026, by Darren Jefferson Clay of Duluth, Georgia. This page has been viewed 53 times since then. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on January 23, 2026, by Darren Jefferson Clay of Duluth, Georgia. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.
